Kelso (NSW)

Kelso lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

As of Nov 2025, Kelso's population is estimated at around 11,063 based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validations. This reflects a growth of 1,024 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 10,039. The increase was inferred from an AreaSearch estimate of 11,004 residents, following examination of ABS ERP data released in June 2024 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 348 persons per square kilometer. Kelso's growth rate of 10.2% since the 2021 census exceeded both its SA4 region (2.9%) and SA3 area, indicating it as a growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 60.0% to overall population gains during recent periods.

For projections until 2041, AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for covered areas and NSW State Government's SA2-level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 for uncovered areas. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas from 2032 to 2041. Based on these aggregations, Kelso is projected to grow exceptionally over the period, adding 4,966 persons by 2041 and reflecting a total increase of 43.0%.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Kelso among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Kelso had around 105 dwellings receiving development approval per year. Between financial years FY21 and FY25, approximately 526 homes were approved, with another 18 so far in FY26. This reflects an average of about 2 people moving to the area per new home constructed over these five years.

The average construction cost value for new homes was around $472,000. In FY26, Kelso has recorded approximately $22.5 million in commercial development approvals. Compared to Rest of NSW, Kelso shows 137.0% higher development activity per person. New building activity comprises about 85.0% standalone homes and 15.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low density character.

There are roughly 259 people per approval in Kelso, indicating a transitioning market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Kelso is expected to grow by approximately 4,763 residents through to 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth in the area.

Kelso has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 14 projects that may affect this region. Notable ones include The Gateway Bathurst, MIR Group Residential Subdivision, Hynash Constructions' 123-Lot Subdivision, and Pretty Heights Estate. Below is a list of those most likely to be relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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AreaSearch assessment positions Kelso ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Kelso has a skilled workforce with an unemployment rate of 2.3% as per AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation in June 2025. The employment figure stands at 5,743 residents while the unemployment rate is 1.3% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%.

Workforce participation is high at 62.0%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key industries employing Kelso residents include health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. Manufacturing stands out with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing has a lower representation at 2.0% compared to the regional average of 5.3%. Labour force levels in Kelso decreased by 2.3% over the 12 months to June 2025, with employment decreasing by 3.1%, causing an unemployment rate rise of 0.8 percentage points.

In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment decline of 0.1% and labour force growth of 0.3%, with a 0.4 percentage point unemployment rate increase. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Kelso's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

Kelso's median income among taxpayers was $53,360 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $64,355 during the same period. This compares to figures for Rest of NSW which were $49,459 and $62,998 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $60,089 (median) and $72,470 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Kelso rank modestly, between the 49th and 50th percentiles. The predominant income cohort spans 35.8% of locals (3,960 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 category, mirroring the broader area where 29.9% occupy this bracket. High housing costs consume 15.2% of income. Despite this, disposable income ranks at the 51st percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

Kelso is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

The dwelling structure in Kelso, as evaluated at the latest Census, consisted of 92.8% houses and 7.3% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 86.1% houses and 13.9% other dwellings. The level of home ownership in Kelso was 32.7%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (39.0%) or rented (28.3%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Kelso was $1,800, which is higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent figure for Kelso was recorded at $360, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $315. Nationally, Kelso's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Kelso features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 77.4% of all households, including 32.5% couples with children, 27.9% couples without children, and 15.9% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 22.6%, with lone person households at 20.4% and group households at 2.3%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.5.

Educational outcomes in Kelso fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area has lower university qualification rates at 18.7% compared to the NSW average of 32.2%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 13.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.2% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas at 9.5% and certificates at 31.7%.

Educational participation is high, with 32.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.9% in primary education, 9.7% in secondary education, and 3.4% pursuing tertiary education. Kelso's three schools have a combined enrollment of 1,607 students as of the latest data. The area has varied educational conditions with an ICSEA index of 944. Educational provision is balanced with two primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups.

Transport servicing is moderate compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Kelso's public transport system operates 155 active stops, all of which are bus services. These stops are served by 58 different routes that together facilitate 923 weekly passenger trips. The city's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents on average located 142 meters from the nearest stop.

Across all routes, service frequency averages 131 trips per day, equating to approximately five weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Kelso is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Kelso faces significant health challenges, with common health conditions being somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover in Kelso is approximately 52%, leading that of the average SA2 area (~5,795 people). The most common medical conditions are asthma and mental health issues, impacting 10.5% and 9.4% of residents respectively. 63.9% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.5% across Rest of NSW. 16.5% of Kelso's residents are aged 65 and over (1,825 people), which is lower than the 19.4% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

Kelso is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Kelso's population showed low cultural diversity, with 90.8% born in Australia, 92.1% being citizens, and 94.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 63.4%, compared to 61.6% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestral groups were Australian (32.2%), English (31.1%), and Irish (9.4%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal were overrepresented at 6.3%, while Lebanese stood at 0.4%, and Korean at 0.1%.

Kelso's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Kelso is 36 years, which is significantly lower than Rest of NSW's average of 43 years and somewhat younger than Australia's average of 38 years. The 25-34 age group comprises 13.8% of Kelso's population compared to the Rest of NSW figure, while the 65-74 cohort makes up 8.7%. According to post-2021 Census data, the percentage of the population aged 25 to 34 has increased from 13.0% to 13.8%, whereas the percentage for the 5 to 14 age group has decreased from 15.5% to 14.2%. Population forecasts for Kelso indicate substantial demographic changes by 2041, with the 25-34 age group projected to grow by 59% (906 people), reaching a total of 2,433 from its current figure of 1,526.